Outplayed in the first half and trailing 9-3, the home side produced an inspired second spell to mirror last year's 20-17 win over the same opponents in the same fixture.

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Seventeen points in the first 17 minutes of the second period - including tries to winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma and five-eighth Aaron Cruden - set up victory over a Crusaders side who dominated most facets.

The visitors had crushed all before them in their previous five games, including a 43-15 hammering of the Chiefs in Christchurch three weeks ago.

However, the seven-time champions lost their nerve when it counted to continue a dreadful recent playoff run.

They have reached the semi-finals in each of the last five seasons but failed to add to their trophy cabinet. Four exits have come at the semi-finals stage.

The Chiefs will host the final next Saturday against either the Bulls or Brumbies, who meet in the second semi-final in Pretoria on Sunday morning (AEST).

The only scoring in a first half dominated by the more clinical Crusaders came from the boot.

Five-eighth Dan Carter landed three penalty goals from more than 40m out in the sixth, 19th and 28th minutes. Cruden's lone response came in the 21st.

The second spell opened in dramatic style when a Crusaders attack was snuffed out courtesy of a crucial intercept by Tikoirotuma off Kieran Read's pass to an unmarked Zac Guildford. Crusaders skipper Read looked like he would have scored himself if he held the ball.

It was all Chiefs for the next 15 minutes as Cruden's second penalty was followed by a try to Japan-bound Masaga, who powered through the heart of the Crusaders pack from a standing start 15m out.

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